Resolution

by Douglas E Roff

  But this radiant one, long straight blond hair, blue eyes, the face of an angel and arrayed as she was in a simple yellow dress, was a sight to behold. Adam, King or not, was awestruck by her grace and beauty.

  “I say this not in jest, nor to ridicule in any way, but your appearance is that of another young woman who looks very much like the Lady Cia. Had I not been assured otherwise, I might’ve mistaken you for ….”

  “… a grown woman, desirable and willing. I know. Finding a man is an issue when I look like I normally do.”

  “Is that so?”

  Cia laughed. “Yes. Men seldom throw themselves at a short, skinny waif with no tits. And, until recently, one burdened with the touch of death. I have been told I have the face of an angel. Perhaps so, but I do not wish to be something I am not. Unfortunately, I have seldom had the opportunity to experience anything other than solitude.”

  Adam smiled radiantly, “No longer, my love, no longer. If you will allow me to continue as your guide, I shall consider it an honor to investigate all manner of new experiences you wish to explore.”

  Cia smiled a huge smile of approval. “And I accept your offer to mentor me in all things that I have been denied opportunity. And, I am sure that those present here this morning might entertain assisting my Lord in these tasks. With your approval, of course, Manti.”

  “A most kind offer, and one of which I heartily approve. I ask only that we include the Lady Misti, who has much to offer in the ways of sensuality.”

  “Shall you ask her, or shall I?”

  “We shall both; in fact, we shall all together ask her if she rises before sundown. And sundown we shall all meet in my quarters for our lessons to begin.”

  Adam looked around. “Until then, let us plan our way forward. Lady Saldana, please begin with the state of political affairs in the Black Forest.”

  ***

  Saldana began her narrative describing going from village, to village in the Black Forest and speaking with its inhabitants. Saldana understood that the Lady Cia, Lady Eene, and their entourage had returned from Paraiso after putting down the family rebellion. Saldana’s journey to the villages of the Black Forest, human and Gens, was partly concocted for dramatic purposes, though the danger to Saldana, disguising her true intent, was very real. That danger, emanating as it did from her past as a leader of the Black Shirts, trying to kill the Manti, and defeat his plans, would employ the ruse of feigned treachery and betrayal to smoke out traitors loyal to the Collective. The deaths of Hans and Tarken were not likely to have ended such treason and disloyalty. Though the King ordered it, it was the Lady Cia who designed it. And it was Lady Saldana who had the credentials to ferret out those lying in wait for their chance at treason.

  In its simplicity, it was brilliant.

  Already men, and families were being rounded up, and placed in chains away from the Palace in a field called Benara, “Disgrace”. Those there knew their fate, just not the time, and date of it.

  ***

  The purpose of the plan was to submit every member of the military, and political establishment of the Gens Germania to the touch of Lady Cia. Every traitor to the Manti and the Eighty-One would be discovered by that touch as Lady Cia had been given the gift, she said burden, to discern such truth as lay in the mind of human or Gens.

  The Lady Cia would be flown to Paraiso to complete her task accompanied by the Lady Eene, and Akira. The ones chosen after test would receive her knowledge, and new skills, far superior to that which they now possessed. None knew the extent of her abilities, and none knew of her purpose.

  Soon, they would.

  For now, members of the Black Forest Clans lined up as called by the Manti and Akira to greet Cia, the Lady of the Court newly favored by the King. This was an old ritual agreed to among Gens and humans. Long lines of Gens, human, mixed race and guests were in evidence arrayed in traditional colors to meet the newest members of the Royal Family. The revival of this custom, and, so many old customs, was welcome among human, mixed race and Gens alike. Humans and Gens, but not mixed race, had begun to return to their native lands in the Village and Dietschberg, Paraiso not being to their liking. They too would participate in the honors.

  Adam summoned Yar and Chel. “The count?”

  Chel answered succinctly, “Sixty-eight. Fourteen Captains and lower ranks; one Colonel. The one suspected by the Lady Cia. They’re all now in chains in Benara.”

  “I shall visit the Fields with the Lady and pass judgment. Punishment shall be meted out by me individually once the Lady Cia is removed safely to the Palace and under Guard.”

  “But sire, this is beneath the rank of King to engage in such trivial punishments of traitors. It has never been done in this manner.”

  “There is a new King and new traditions. I will face the men and their families, look into their eyes, and exact the punishment merited. “

  Adam turned to Chel. “Do not worry, my friend. Not all will die. I make that promise to you personally, and it is a sacred oath.”

  Chel, Yar and his Captains were relieved. Visiting death on the innocent wives and children of the guilty wasn’t the Gens way. Visiting death on co-conspirators however, was a different matter.

  Chapter 14

  The Lady Cia spoke to her King and asked, “Should we not waken and include both Misti and Kendra? I fear excluding them will cause more discord later than we, and by ‘we’ I mean you, may wish. Besides they shall both have the knowledge later, as will all your wives. Should we not act now to prevent future friction. And by future, I mean in the next few days.”

  Adam thought for a moment, then Saldana spoke up. “There is nothing to consider, Adam. You must bring them here to include them in the plan; allow the Lady Cia, and the rest of us to impart the knowledge, and skills we now have. Misti may value a few more hours of sleep over knowledge that can, perhaps for her, wait. But the little one will not be happy, and I fear this new knowledge will have unintended consequences.”

  “Such as?”

  “She already hates men.”

  “So, do Misti and Vera. That’s not new news.”

  “No, Misti and Vera prefer their own gender; they don’t hate men. Kendra hates men.”

  “She doesn’t hate me.”

  “She doesn’t hate you because you’re different. And you’re her husband. I don’t know if things will change, and I doubt the Lady Cia does either. As I understand it, the transfer of her skills isn’t completely controllable by Lady Cia and varies from person to person. The process operates by enhancing, and diminishing existing skills, and adding some that didn’t exist and eliminating those that are no longer necessary. And it adds great knowledge. But the effects are not predictable in every case. I don’t know what Lady Kendra will do.”

  Adam looked at the Lady Cia. “Bring them. Bring them now.”

  He turned to Saldana and said, “Go to the Cook and bring food. Misti will be famished, and I must know about Kendra right away. Both will take the knowledge and skills transfer immediately.”

  ***

  A cranky Misti, now dressed in her jammies, was at the alcove table with food in front of her. She began eating immediately, though she seemed very tired.

  Kendra simply asked, “What’s this all about?”

  Adam spoke, “The Lady Cia has brought with her special talents which she has shared with Lady Eene, Lady Saldana and me. Saldana believes we need to share these talents with you and Misti without delay.”

  “I agree,” said Kendra.

  “There is a catch. You hate men. You don’t just prefer your own gender as do Misti and Vera; you hate men.””

  “I don’t hate you.”

  “You don’t hate me now. We don’t know how this process will affect you. The transfer of Lady Cia’s knowledge and skills are unpredictable; expression can vary from person to person. If our knowledge is a ‘one’ now, it will be ‘one thousand’ afterward. But the expression of these new skills, and knowledge, aren’t for
eseeable in each case; I don’t know how it will affect you, especially towards me.”

  “Then I shall complete the process and find out.”

  She did.

  Adam asked Kendra to accompany him downstairs to a small room near the cells for the overseer.

  “Sweetheart, how do you feel?”

  “About?”

  “About me, your husband.”

  “Indifference; perhaps even anger and rage.”

  “And being with me, having congress with me?”

  “Never again. The very thought of it disgusts me. Do not ever touch me again or there will be conflict, King or not.”

  “I see.”

  Adam signaled to Saldana. “Please escort my wife to her quarters and lock the doors. She is not permitted to leave her rooms until we decide what to do with her.”

  Kendra listened passively. “And if I resist or attempt escape?”

  “I will kill you myself. I suggest you go peacefully, and await my decision, and your fate.”

  To Saldana he said, “Bind her head to toe, and when safe in her quarters, strap her down. I want no part of her loose. I want nothing sharp in her room, and remove every article of clothing, and furniture.

  “As you wish.”

  ***

  When she returned, Saldana said, “It is simple. She knows too much and will kill you at her first opportunity. You know as well as I, she must be put to death.”

  “We shall consult with the Lady Cia, and my wives before we take action. Perhaps I can remove this from her mind.”

  “Or she may trick you into thinking so. This is a risky game with you at stake.”

  “Nonetheless, we shall consult with the Lady Cia first.”

  ***

  “You know what she said and thinks. As I see it there are but three options. Kill her, confine her for life, or tamper with her mind; restore her to her former self, or seal off her instinct to kill me somehow. Do any of you have another idea?”

  Silence.

  Lady Cia asked, “Which do you choose, sire. Two are within your right as King. One is not.”

  Adam replied to Lady Cia with a question, “What say you? Your wisdom is without peer. Or, so it is said.”

  “I would need to reflect on that. For a day, perhaps longer.”

  The other women shook their heads in agreement.

  Adam said, “I’m disappointed in all of you, and you, Lady Cia, the most. If you must lie, find something more suitable than this. You all wish to delay the inevitable and all for the same reason. You know what I will choose, and you all believe it is rape. Not physically, but by entering Kendra’s mind without permission and attempting to alter her memory. To alter her brain chemistry without her permission and restore her to the Kendra that she was, not the Kendra she is now.”

  Lady Cia said, “Yes, you’re correct. I don’t wish you to enter her mind or brain and alter them. It is not for you to decide. And I give you my oath that I’ll never lie to you again, no matter the circumstance. But what you are contemplating is rape.”

  “Then should I kill or incarcerate Kendra? If the latter, wait for her to escape, and come for each of you, then me? Is that your sage advice? Saldana advises death. Between the two options, I agree with her. So, ladies, take the night to reflect on the matter, and I will convene with you tomorrow at dawn to decide Kendra’s fate. I will myself go off into the forest and reflect on this matter alone.”

  Adam turned abruptly and left.

  ***

  The next morning, Adam was the last to arrive at the alcove. He had no desire to attend the breakfast for the decision and wavered all night long. He slept not a wink.

  None looked happy or rested, save Saldana.

  “What say you all? Am I to be one monster or another, which is the one of your choosing?”

  Lady Cia stood up. “The French Toast with butter, and maple syrup was delicious. You must show me the recipe; I’ve always had to cook for myself.”

  “Not what I was expecting in response to my question, but it will be my pleasure to teach you how to cook exotic new dishes.”

  Misti grunted something, probably not a compliment.

  “We have decided that your wisdom guides your decision, and, in that decision, we will assist in any way you instruct. Should you choose to ‘operate’ then we shall do as you command to the best of our ability. Otherwise, we choose incarceration, except Saldana who chooses death.”

  Adam announced, “I don’t believe this is the result of the gifts bestowed. I experienced no measurable changes in myself, nor in any others who received Cia’s gifts. I believe this to be the work of some other force. You should reveal yourself, Immortal, and admit to this mischief.”

  A shimmering figure appeared in the alcove, changing shape and form, each present seeing a different image of the being at hand.

  “You are smarter than you look, mortal called Adam St. James. But as I am found out, it is the law of the Creator that I must undo my ‘mischief’ as you call it and restore the she-creature you concern yourself with to the form she would have taken, had I not intervened.

  “There. It is done.”

  Adam said, “Please leave us be. There cannot be any joy in this for you.”

  “Perhaps. Perhaps not. But as a mortal, how would you know? Besides, what pleasure I get in any action I take is for me to know, not you, oh Chosen insect. Don’t presume to know what is forbidden or beyond your puny comprehension.”

  As the door to the alcove swung open, Kendra walked in looking tired and sleepy.

  “Have I missed breakfast? I’m starving.”

  ***

  Hugs and kisses showered Kendra, though she had no idea why. They sat her down to tell her of the events she missed, in which she was the central figure.

  She turned to Saldana. “No sex for a month for you, missy. Maybe two. As much as I shall miss you, and your deviant ways, I suspect this will punish you more.”

  “Not fair,” protested Saldana. “A day, two at most. Your punishment is cruel, too cruel. And I am no longer cruel. Except upon special request, of course, and only then at the command of my Lord.”

  The Lady Kendra then spoke to each of her sisters first, saving the last chat to her husband.

  “How did you know?”

  “Simple. You love me, and no knowledge or wisdom, no change in neural pathways or mental increase in knowledge of the Universe could ever change that. There could be only one other explanation.”

  “You bet your life on me?”

  “No, I bet my life on your love for me. I couldn’t imagine you ever hurting me.”

  Kendra smiled.

  “With my sisters’ permission, I would take leave to spend some time with my husband alone. No congress, just to have him hold me close. Just snuggle, spoon and talk.”

  All agreed, but Misti had to explain the concept of simple warmth and touch to Saldana after the pair left.

  “Really? That’s all they’ll do? Humans are so odd at times.”

  Chapter 15

  She appeared one night while Adam was alone in his Study at the Palace, working on one of his conundrums. She appeared as a shimmering sparkle of multi-colored light, changing form from this to that, but taking on what appeared to be the shape of a human female. She was too undefined to say what exactly she looked like, but she began by speaking in a soothing and calm voice, almost assuring him a feeling of complete safety and wellbeing.

  Adam wasn’t deceived.

  “Here for the kill? Oh no, that’s right, I understand you aren’t allowed to do that for a while. Not sure I believe you, or that you won’t come a day early, but I guess I can’t do much about that. Not now anyway.”

  “Don’t be such a baby. I have to transform to your puny matter and energy state to send your essence to the afterlife, so you’ll probably have a fighting chance. But if you piss me off, I may come as an Althenian Gorgon, in which case you’ll just be a snack. On the other hand, I may take human form l
ike your Misti or Kendra. They can fight, so we’ll see who does best. Misti is reputed not only to be one heck of a whore, and a real tough bitch to boot. That might be fun.”

  “We don’t use those words around here.”

  “What words?”

  “Bitch. Or whore. They’re demeaning to women and should not be used.”

  “Really? I hear women using them all the time. What’s up with that?”

  “Couldn’t really say, but what others choose to do is their choice, not mine. If find it ignorant and offensive.”

  “Then it’s my choice to use them if I want to, and I choose to use them. Here’s another word I learned from you humans. Fuck off, you cunt.”

  “Actually, that’s four words, so as Immortal as you may be, your highness, you’re also illiterate. That’s the polite way to say, ‘one dumb fuck’.”

  “I could take your head right now for such insulting behavior from a lower life form.”

  “You mean from an intelligent lower life form, right? Go ahead but, if you don’t mind, I’m kinda busy with my lower life form problems right now. Plus, the Creator will probably turn you into a ‘lower life form’ as punishment.”

  “I shall ask the Creator for special permission to transform you from live matter to dead matter a little early.”

  “No, you won’t.”

  “Impertinent insect! I should crush you right now!”

  “What fun would that be? This way you have someone to talk to and threaten. That’s fun, right? Sending me to bed each night fearing your wrath must give you great pleasure.”

  “Really? You dread me each night before bedtime?”

  “Hell no. But if you think I do, that could be great fun for an immature little child like you.”

  “You fool! I … I … I shall do something very evil to one of yours like I did to that cunt Kendra Boles. I shall do something, I just don’t know what quite yet. But I shall do something very, very bad to all your bitches!”

  “No ‘C’ word either. Banned in the family.”